1993 Mazda MX-3
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1993 Mazda MX-3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 9 on record.
1993 Mazda MX-3 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1993 Mazda MX-3 recalls 3
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSIVE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED ONE (WITH ADDITIONAL DUST LIP) IN VEHICLES WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM. IN VEHICLES IN WHICH THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, THE RAILS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED WITH MODIFIED RAILS IF THEY EXCEED THE I…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WASHINGTON, DC. IN AREAS WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, CORROSIVE PITS CAN DEVELOP ON THE…
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GUARD ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL PREVENT THE BROKEN COIL SPRING FROM CONTACTING THE TIRE. IN ADDITION TO PERFORMING THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, MAZDA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FOR THE LIFT OF THE VEHICLE. IF OWNERS HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIR OR REPL…
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1993 Mazda MX-3 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1993 Mazda MX-3 safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1993 Mazda MX-3 2-DR. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1993 Mazda MX-3 MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1993 Mazda MX-3 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1993 Mazda MX-3. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1993 Mazda MX-3. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Electrical
On certain vehicles, a defect in the ignition switch could cause an electrical short to develop over time. This could result in smoke and/or fire, increasing the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Transport Canada #2015489 · Oct 2015Suspension
IN AREAS OF HIGH ROAD SALT USE (ALL PROVINCES EAST OF THE MANITOBA BORDER), CORROSIVE PITS MAY DEVELOP ON THE SURFACE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS. THIS COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE COIL SPRING TO BREAK AT A POINT 1.0 TO 1.5 INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE COIL SPRING. THIS COULD CAUSE A TIRE TO BE PUNCTURED FROM CONTACT WITH THE BROKEN SPRING. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INST…
Transport Canada #1997134 · Jul 1997Electrical
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES. WATER AND ROAD SALT CAN ENTER THE ALTERNATOR THROUGH A PRODUCTION PIN HOLE IN THE BUS BAR POSSIBLY CREATING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE BUS BAR AND THE ALTERNATOR HEAT SHIELD. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING AND RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND A MODIFIED HEAT SHIELD WILL…
Transport Canada #1994138 · Aug 1994Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Mazda MX-3
The Mazda MX-3 is a 2+2-seat, front-wheel drive coupé of a kammback design, manufactured and marketed by Mazda. It was introduced at the Geneva Auto Show in March 1991 and marketed until 1998.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.